Announcing the Budding Baker of the Year

Story by: Warrens Bakery | August 20, 2018

We are delighted to announce the winner of our Young Budding Baker of the Year competition, selected from thousands of Budding Bakers from all over the UK.

Florrie Smith, from the South East, baked off hot competition to scoop the glittering prize – a trip to Cornwall to visit us at St Just and to help develop a new bake to sell across all of our stores in the UK.

Florrie, will also meet celebrated author and Waitrose columnist Martha Collison, receive a year’s supply of bakes and be enrolled on a baking course at a local cookery school.

This is the first time we have run the competition, which was open to 16-18 year olds in the seven UK regions where our stores are located with nominations opening in May.

TALENTED TEENAGE BAKERS SHOW ‘REAL PROMISE’

Five gifted teenagers exhibited their baking talent on the day through a display of imaginative baking whilst tackling all three challenges presented to them on the day. They were: Talia Cohen (South West), Sara Holly Grabham (London), Florrie Smith (South East), Claudia Edyvean (South West) and Alfie Joliffe (South).

Our event took place at Nisbet’s National Catering Equipment Centre in Bristol on Thursday 9th August and was hosted by our Head Baker Jason Jobling, who has been with us for an incredible 26 years. Jason is truly a master of his craft, and along with co-judge Dean Starling, Brand Sales Development Chef for the National Catering Equipment Centre, were looking for the young baker who demonstrated the ideal combination of technical and creative flair.

Jason Jobling commented: “For me, this has been a day to remember. It proves to me that the craft of baking is alive and well, and that we have a generation of youngsters coming up who will take it bravely into the future. I can honestly say that every one of our finalists shows real promise, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we hear more about these talented teenagers in years to come.”

Dean Starling was delighted by the high standards of all the finalists: “Whether they’ve absorbed baking skills from members of their own family or learnt them by watching some of the brilliant baking programmes that are currently on television, these youngsters really understand how baking works. They have all the right instincts when it comes to using their hands and equipment, and they know how to make something look professional. I’m impressed!”

A DAY OF THRILLS AND SURPRISES

The first part of the day saw the contestants show their Baking Wizardry. A technical baking task was revealed to the young bakers, asking them to make and bake a plaited bread and was designed to test their skill whilst being judged on flavour, appearance and texture.

Then came the pasty challenge: Jason demonstrated the art of crimping Traditional Cornish Pasties, after which it was over to the finalists to create and bake their own signature pasty (sweet or savoury). The result was judged on the quality of the idea, flavours and that all-important crimp. Flavours included Marmite and cheese, curried cauliflower and apple and cinnamon with a side of Cornish clotted cream.

The final task invited the contestants to get creative, by transforming a sponge cake into the amazing centrepiece of a special occasion – whether a birthday, wedding, graduation or any other event. Jason and Dean were looking for an excellent finish, exciting flavours and skillful technique, but most of all, this was a showcase for each finalist’s unique personality. It was here the contestants really amazed the judges with multiple tiered wedding cakes, exploding chocolate cakes and, from the winner Florrie, a rainbow cake representing recent Pride events around the UK.

Florrie commented: “I really enjoyed practising my skills, as well as learning some new ones! It was a very interesting and exciting day, and it was especially fun to work in a professional kitchen. It was such a surprise for me to win the competition as everyone was so deserving!”